Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

The objective of the project "Potential antimicrobial proteins for human health - Value added products from eggshell waste", which is targeted to the Quality Foods and Novel Bioproducts strategic grant program (Functional Foods and Neutraceuticals) is to build upon our recent research which has identified an antimicrobial protein associated with the egg. Working closely with an Ontario egg producer / breaker operation (Burnbrae Farms Ltd) and a major Canadian industrial concern in this sector, Inovatech Egg Products Inc, we will purify antimicrobial proteins from industrial eggshell breaker waste material and study their antimicrobial properties, mechanism of action and ability to protect mice against oral pathogen challenge. Potential for allergic elements in the purified material will be identified with a view to its elimination. Furthermore, in collaboration with Shaver Poultry Breeding Farms (ISA North America), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) will be identified that have potential for gene selection of breeding hens to produce eggs with enhanced antimicrobial protection. The research collaboration of two active Canadian biomedical scientists will be supported in an international collaboration. This application will support multidisciplinary early-stage collaborative research that will generate new knowledge / technology and train students, with the strong potential to strengthen Canada's industrial base, generate wealth and create employment in the egg producing industry.